I saw that match between SY and WYH. Firstly, SY is a better player than YX with more weapons in her arsenal and secondly, WYH played badly in that match. You're right, obviously the probability of who beating who isn't always so clear cut - sometimes a "better" player tries their best but the "lesser" player plays beyond themselves, gets lucky or has a breakthrough. I'd have no problem with that, but that's the key though; the better player has to try their best. Now, that is frequently not the case with Chinese players, and I have seen it numerous times with players like WYH and CL. That's one of the main issues I (and I'm sure many others) have with the Chinese team - they're always playing to lose every now and then and you're never sure it's because of their funny internal politics, impending birthdays or goodness knows what else.
Look at Jorgensen who just beat Momota - everyone knows he has no chance against LCW tomorrow, but he always gives it a 100% and I can't ever imagine him playing like how CL did this week, for example. Ditto players like Fischer Nielsen and Pedersen.
Fair comment if that's what you think. But, isn't it strange that whenever a non-CHN player beats WYH, the ROW fans will be jumping for joy, not caring a damn whether WYH is off-form, injured or whatever that's bothering her, a win is a win? Yet, when a fellow CHN junior or lesser player beats WYH, something must be fishy, not acceptable for WYH to have a bad day, be off-form or whatever !? Remember, when LXR was rising and beating her senior elites one after another, some people were saying it was all LYB's doing and whatnot - now, looking back, it's groundless, far-fetched and stupid.This is just one example but you get what I'm driving at, those conspiracy theories and suchlike.
Coming back to WYH here at the MAS Open SSP. What's her chances winning the SSP title? Well, about as high as LXR's , probably a littler better than WSX's, certainly much better than Yao Xue's on paper, also clearly higher than the possible non-CHN semifinalists such as Akane Y, Bae YJ and Jindapon. So, why wouldn't WYH go for it, including earning the relatively good prize money and considerable ranking points? To me, she happened to be not at her best and lost to an underdog with nothing to lose and perhaps played above herself as you suggested but certainly not intentional on her(WYH's) part, that's all; I can think of no other reasons or hidden agenda.
JOJ always gives of his best but, still, that doesn't mean he didn't have his fair share of mediocre results, eg 1st Round loss to Darren Liew at CHN Open SSP about two months ago, R2 loss to Prannoy at JPN Open last Sep, R1 loss to Sakai at INA SSP last June, etc...
As for Chen Long's lackluster performance this week, after reading from the Malaysian press that he was down with fever (same for Tai TY, we were told) coming to the MAS Open SSP which affected his form but he still entertained us for three rounds instead of withdrawing at R1 - I am prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt and not read too much into it; simple as that.
Again , just an exchange of views. Enough said . Thanks.